Due to the high number of turnouts and turnout-heater problems seen every winter on the Dutch rail network…

Due to the high number of turnouts and turnout-heater problems seen every winter on the Dutch rail network, which in turn cause a significant amount of train-traffic delays, a new concept has been developed to offer improved productivity.

The Winterproof Railway Turnout Version 2.0 (WRT 2.0) is so winterproof that it does not need point-heating to operate – making the costs for purchasing, installing, monitoring, repairing and inspecting point-heating systems a thing of the past. This new turnout also significantly cuts CO2 emissions connected to the high-power consuming point-heating systems.

The new turnout uses an innovative but very simple mechanical setup – it is not fitted with horizontal movable tongues which prevent snow or ice blocking its moving parts, which with conventional turnouts is a massive problem causing serious delays for rail-traffic.

The WRT 2.0 is currently being discussed in the Netherlands with turnout manufacturers Vossloh and Voestalpine, the Dutch Railways (NS) and ProRail, the owner of the Dutch railway infrastructure.